Republicans block bill to end Iran war amid tenuous ceasefire
Republicans in the House of Representatives blocked Democrats from considering a war powers resolution to halt military hostilities in Iran.
A Rochester-area congressman is calling for the removal of President Donald Trump over his recent actions related to the war in Iran.
The United States and Israel began a military campaign against Iran on Feb. 28, following weeks of military buildup and the failure of diplomatic efforts to avoid war. More than 3,000 people have been killed in the war and most recently, Trump said a “whole civilization” would “die” if the Islamic Republic didn’t concede to demands from the U.S. and Israel.
In recent days, an increasing number of Democratic lawmakers have called for the impeachment of the president, accusing him of “blatant war crimes” prior to a temporary US-Iran ceasefire announced on April 7. A briefing comprised of House Democrats also took place on Thursday, April 9, to discuss urging Trump’s Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment.
U.S. Rep. Joe Morelle, who represents New York’s 25th Congressional District in the Rochester area, made his view clear on April 9.
“President Trump is unfit for office,” Morelle said in a statement. “His actions in the last two weeks have underscored that. I will vote to remove him, whether it’s by the 25th Amendment or an impeachment vote in the House of Representatives.”
Trump has been impeached twice, once in December 2019 related to his dealings with Ukraine and again in January 2021 in connection with the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 of that year. He was acquitted by the Republican-led Senate both times.
Here’s what other New York representatives are saying.
NY Democratic reps Schumer, Gillibrand and Jeffries call on Republicans to step in
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries have been pushing to pass a War Powers Resolution, which would limit Trump’s military power.
“Our country is worse off because of Trump’s strategic ineptitude,” Schumer said in an April 8 post on X. “Enough is enough. Pass the War Powers Resolution, end the war.”
And Jeffries said Trump’s “reckless and costly war of choice” needs to end during a news conference on April 9.
“Upon our return, we will force another vote on the House floor around the War Powers Resolution that will compel the Trump administration to cease military hostilities immediately so we can all focus on the issues that we know matter to everyday Americans,” Jeffries added.
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is also asking Senate Republicans to impede the Trump administration’s ongoing military actions and called for the ousting of Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth.
“People in the Trump administration and Senate Republicans: you have the moral obligation to stop the president from committing a war crime,” Gillibrand said on X on April 7. “Fire Hegseth. Stop this war.
Hudson Valley Congress members have differing views about Iran war
Rep. Pat Ryan, a Democrat who represents Orange, Ulster and parts of Dutchess County, reposted Trump’s message and urged Senate Republicans to vote to halt the war.
“To my Republican colleagues: YOU have the power to stop these atrocities,” the Ulster County Democrat wrote in an X post on April 7. “EVERY PATRIOT must say enough is enough. History will remember the cowardice of those who let this happen.”
On the other side of the aisle, Rep. Mike Lawler, a Rockland County Republican who has staunchly supported the war, went on Fox Business News the next morning and praised the results of the five-week bombardment of Iran’s leaders, navy and missile stocks.
“I think the president, of course, as he is prone to do, used extreme rhetoric that certainly forced a capitulation by the regime,” Lawler told host Maria Bartiromo. “Again, I think there is optimism here, but it is something that obviously we are cautious about.”
Contributing: USA TODAY Network
Emily Barnes covers state government for the USA TODAY Network-New York with a focus on how policy and laws impact New Yorkers’ taxes, communities and jobs. Follow her on Instagram or X @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@usatodayco.com.